Engagement Story

Before I begin explaining the whole engagement story, I have to thank my dear friends Jason Hunter, Amy Dibble, Brittany Burford and my family for helping prepare everything and making sure it was a complete surprise for Alyssa! She is a smart cookie so I am incredibly happy that I was able to surprise her (especially since she can read me like a book LOL)! Alyssa's comment: To true! He has a goofy smile that gives everything away. :-)

I will begin the story on January 15th when I finished making the book I gave to Alyssa titled "Twelve Reasons I love you." It is a scrapbook made that has probably 50ish pictures throughout the book. Each reason is accompanied by (Alyssa's comment: So that is his name!) the panda bear knight! We went through different costumes and such but I am so glad I settled on the knight's costume. I looked at a little bear in a tux, a prince outfit (didn't like the colors) and even a biker jacket (briefly haha). The knight costume is perfect because Alyssa has called me her Knight in shining armor, which makes me smile from ear-to-ear. I got the bear a little thing of fake flowers and a big heart that the bear holds that says “I love you” AND the heart has a voicebook in it that I recorded me says “I love you!” Alyssa's comment: I highly recommend guys getting his future wife a build-a-bear. Great idea! at least one bible verse that describes a facet of who Alyssa is that I love and am greatful for. I put together a list of twenty-three songs with the first twelve tied to each of the numbered reasons in my book over the next week. Sunday the 23rd, my sister, mom and I went to build-a-bear, and I made "Sir Cross"

To take a step back and give some context to why things were a touch difficult to plan the surprise, I have to explain a bit about Bob Jones University. First, we can’t leave campus without a chaperone who is either a student with advanced privileges or one of our parents. Therefore, Alyssa knew that I had to get my parents or a friend to escort us because I was definitely NOT proposing on BJU campus. Alyssa's comment: If he did, I would say try again. To throw here off, I told her I am bring up my parents for this coming weekend (Feb 5^th weekend), which I am doing but it wasn’t for the proposal (haha sneaky Jason!) Alyssa's comment: He knows me best!

A week ago (1-24-11) I emailed Amy, Jason and Brittany explaining my whole plan for proposal and asked for their help in surprising Alyssa. Alyssa's comment: They are so good at being sneaky! You see; Alyssa thought that I was going to propose either next week or the week after because she knew I was bringing my parents up to see her, and so she thought it was going to be next week, not last weekend. I had to stop saying anything at all about rings, proposal, etc because she knows me so well that if she could tell if I was up to something just by my tone of voice, lol. The safest option was to not talk about it even though I felt bad because she was sad that she thought that I was waiting longer. Alyssa's comment: I was wondering if he was changing his mind.

Jason Hunter was able to get off of work, Amy was going to get her bride’s maid dress and Brittany filled out the pass so we were all set for Saturday! I talked to them over email, and I asked them if they would suggest the locations for us to go so that Alyssa wouldn’t wonder why I had the whole day planned out. I modified the bear to have the different emblem of the cross since I didn't like the build-a-bear emblem. It was fun doing this with white and red felt before prayer meeting on Wednesday with my mom.

Now fast forward to the night of the 28th! Everything was ready the night before aside from the flowers since I buy them near BJU. The bear was ready, the book ready, my bag packed, the ipod charged with songs and I was appropriately unable to sleep since I was so nervous! I shaved the night before and got everything set out so I didn’t forget anything. I talked to Jason Hunter the night and he asked if I would be able to sleep to which I answered….. maybe! Haha! As it turned out, I didn’t get to sleep until probably two in the morning. Alyssa's comment: My poor sweetheart. It was well worth it. ;-)

So the big day arrives! (FINALLY! I couldn’t concentrate the whole week!) I woke up at about 7 AM (for those who don’t want to do the math… I slept 5 hours), got showered and got on the road by 8:00ish. The drive to visit Alyssa is a 2.5 hour drive up 85 North. I went to a great place to get flowers where I bought 6 white roses and 6 red roses. I put together a custom arrangement myself in a parking lot with scissors. I tied together a single white and red rose accompanied with a few little of those little white accent flowers. A red rose symbolizes love and a white rose is purity :) Together they symbolize unity! Also two tied roses signifies an engagement. I was slightly worried that Alyssa would google what the flower's meant but luckily since I was running a little late we left and hung out at the snack shop before meeting Jason and Amy for lunch. Alyssa's comment: I did not even have to think of the meaning of the flowers. I knew one thing, he looked amazing! He was glowing with joy! Plus, I did not have a second to check my emails. It happened so fast!

After lunch we played clue (I won the first game! the second we weren't able to finish) with Brittany and Amy in the social parlor till about 2:30 when we picked up Jason to leave campus. I was trying to act nonchalant so Alyssa didn't start to wonder why I was extra excited and nervous, haha! Alyssa's comment: Jason, when are you not excited to see me? lol As a random note, I had to get something out of the trunk and I had to block Alyssa from looking into the trunk because she would have seen the bear, book, my coat and the ring box!! Alyssa's comment: He was acting a little strange. It was a close one and I managed to move on fast enough that she didn't get suspicious. Amy got her dress (excellent!) and Alyssa tried on some different "reception" dresses for fun. Alyssa's comment: I like to have fun! A girl will be a girl. ;-)

Now here is where Miss Alyssa (Alyssa's comment: Soon to be Mrs. Alyssa Cross..lol) threw a little wrench into my plans ;) She wanted to go into the mall to look at shoes and dresses. Bear in mind that sundown in Greenville on January 29th was at 5:56 PM so we were on a bit of a tight schedule. I originally planned on eating a late lunch, but since we looked around the mall for a while we ran out of time! Alyssa's comment: I was wondering why everyone was so hungry and then once we got to the food court no body seemed to be hungry anymore. Strange! I insisted for them to eat but they wanted to wait until "I was hungry". Therefore, on the way to the car after the mall, I asked Jason and Amy to suggest going to the park or downtown Greenville for supper. I don't remember what was said exactly but it was the perfect excuse for me to take out the prepared GPS on my phone and drive to Reedy Falls Park! Alyssa's comment: Brittany threw me off when she insisted to eat at Mellow Mushrooms...funny! Did we, no! lol

We arrived at about 5:20 to the same parking place where my parents had taken us early last semester for our first time off campus! The liberty bridge was so beautiful at night; I remember Alyssa at that point saying she wanted to see it during the day with me so that is why I chose the bridge. Alyssa's comment: Great choice! I loved the location!

On a side note, my awesome Dad let me borrow his camera so Brittany could take a bunch of pictures. As is the theme of not letting Alyssa know, I had to sneak the camera into the back seat of my car and warned Brittany about it so she brought her bag to slide it into her bag without Alyssa seeing it! I knew if Alyssa saw the big camera that she would know something was up. Also I slide the ring box into my coat so I could put on my coat from the trunk without tipping her off!

Ok, back to the main story :D I lead Alyssa to the trunk of the car after we parked. From there I put on my coat then presented the bear first (she was SO cute when she saw it :) ). I then gave her the book and lead her down the same path we took the first time we came. I brought out the ipod and had her put one of the earphones in so she could listen to the songs while still hearing me.

Alyssa's comment: When he gave me the bear I thought the ring was inside the bear. I was about to rip it open! There was about to be a bear strip search! lol

I walked read each verse that had pictures next to it as we walked, and I went into how that verse reminded me of her and traits I love about her. Alyssa's comment: That really touched my heart! When we got to reason about eight (I think) while we were underneath the bridge, she realized what was happening and started crying. Alyssa's comment: I also was thinking..."if does not propose to me after being so prefect I was going to slam him! lol We walked up to the main bridge where luckily a fire breather/juggler guy started performing right when we were almost on the bridge so the crowded bridge was suddenly empty! (PERFECT!!) Alyssa's comment: haha, that was great timing! The last song on the playlist was Marry Me by Train. The song had special significance because it played right before the first time I met her home pastors during the Christmas break. I put the other eyepiece in so right when the first time he said "Marry Me... today and every day" I got on one knee and proposed! She looked so beautiful! Alyssa's comment: As long you think I look great. That is the only opinion that matters to me. I am so thankful for the amazing pictures. I will cherish them forever. She didn't say yes for a few seconds because she was trying to breathe, haha. Alyssa's comment: Not to mention, I was balling my eyes out with JOY! She said yes then I stood up when suddenly I noticed the world around me for the first time. Random people were taking pictures of us and congratulating us. Alyssa's comment: I thought that he hired a photography crew. And when they started to walk away I was kinda confused. It was too perfect because it was at dusk so perfect for pictures!

After that we took more pictures, and I was finally able to tell her all about the planning! I am so happy that she was surprised!!! YAY! I am so blessed to be marrying the most amazing young lady I have ever met. It is too much for words. Alyssa's comment: The proposal was absolutely amazing! He took my breath away! I love him with all my heart! I am the luckiest woman in the world to be able to marry my best friend and my one and only true love!